The street named ‘Magical Girl Street’ truly lives up to its name, as there are many magical girls around.
Gathered under the banner of justice, they fight against evil for the peace of the world.
Among them, who stands out the most? Naturally, it’s the protagonist ‘Iris,’ whether in a good way or a bad way.
Look, her mere appearance has already left people dumbfounded, hasn’t it?
It was a remark that slipped out from someone’s mouth.
“…What are you doing?”
Here and there on the broken concrete floor, dozens of people had gathered. Their expressions were all the same.
They all wore blank stares.
“…What are you doing?”
Even I wasn’t much different. It was only natural. Where in this world do such fools exist?
“Cowardly!”
Complained Iris as she emerged from the debris.
“Attacking while I’m delivering lines is a foul play!”
“Kiik…kik…idiot.”
“Who are you calling an idiot? Fool!”
It was a childish squabble.
Or, are these guys really here to fight?
On one side, a demon unleashing indiscriminate attacks.
On the other, a magical girl trying to protect the world.
Clearly, it should be an atmosphere where ordinary people wouldn’t dare approach.
“Idiot…time…waste…”
“Again with ‘idiot!’ You liar, cheat, talkative fool, jellyfish, disgrace to demons, trash!!”
Why does it keep reminding me of kindergarten kids fighting over snacks?
Well,
“Because that’s what he’s like originally.”
It’s a scene I’ve seen many times in games. There’s nothing particularly surprising now, but seeing it right before my eyes feels different.
Should I say it’s more foolish? Or maybe chaotic?
…Hmm, yeah.
“Just like an old cartoon protagonist.”
An energetic yet silly fool. Isn’t that exactly how old cartoon protagonists were?
“Kiik…enough. No time for playing around.”
Windmill Demon.
Its body resembles an average human, but its head features a colorful windmill.
This thing turns its head towards the nearby people. The windmill on its head begins to slowly spin.
Gradually, the surrounding air starts gathering towards it.
In such a situation, we couldn’t just stand idly by. People scatter in panic.
But I didn’t have any intention of running.
“She’ll handle it somehow.”
It was a kind of trust. Having observed Iris for quite some time, I know her patterns.
Surely, when citizens in danger are right in front of her,
“Hey! Don’t mess with that guy over there!!”
At the moment Iris’s sharp cry was heard,
A loud crash sounded as the windmill was lifted upward. A storm powerful enough to tear through human skin shot skyward.
It was Iris quickly rushing forward and delivering an uppercut.
“Sir! What dangerous things are you doing?”
“Well, I believed you’d save me.”
“Don’t make strange remarks and get away! Quickly!”
She looked completely different from before. There was no trace of silliness; instead, she appeared quite impressive like a guardian.
Serious when needed.
That’s the gap Iris possesses.
“Indeed, just as I thought.”
“…Sir, are you really trying to die against that monster?”
“Hmm? Ah. If I die, I die. There’s not much I can do about it.”
“You’re a strange sir. Hmph, but I won’t let that happen.”
Iris’s face turned serious.
“Wait a little longer. I’ll finish this quickly!”
…
…
…
…
…
…
The intense battle ended.
“Huff…huff…”
Breathing heavily, Iris stood there covered in sweat. Beneath her feet lay the windmill demon reduced to mush.
Everyone watched this bloodthirsty battle silently.
The great magical girl who faced the wind-raising demon head-on and ultimately claimed victory.
For a moment, silence lingered.
-Woohoo!!
Soon, cheers erupted.
Despite her injuries, she waved at them, blushing furiously.
“Thank you for your hard work! Time to go home!”
As the crowd dispersed, Iris continued waving until everyone left. When only I remained, she stared at me intently.
“Aren’t you going home, sir?”
“I’m just starting my shift.”
“Oh…you must have a tough day ahead.”
“Yeah, probably as tough as you.”
After finishing our conversation, I shifted my gaze.
My eyes landed on Iris’s right hand.
Blood dripped from a torn wound.
“Are you alright?”
“Ah…ahaha…”
“It looked like you got hurt pretty badly earlier.”
Iris hid her right hand.
It seemed she was injured quite severely.
“Let me see your hand. We need to treat it.”
“No…no, I’m fine! Magical girls heal quickly even if injured!”
“Really? I doubt that…”
Even if they’re tougher and regenerate better than regular humans, it shouldn’t be to that extent.
“Come on, let’s treat it.”
“No…I’m fine! I’m a magical girl! I’ll take care of it myself!”
So what if she’s a magical girl?
Before I could voice those words, Iris flew off into the sky.
There’s nothing I can do if she doesn’t want it. Besides, I’m not the type to force things, so…
Normally, I don’t persist after being refused once. But if every action Iris took wasn’t just acting…
+++++
Inside the convenience store, I sat down on a chair.
With the commotion happening nearby, there wouldn’t be many customers today.
In other words, almost a free day.
“Sweet…”
Though I wanted to fully enjoy this peaceful moment, it seemed difficult due to the peculiar girl I met just now.
I reflected on my encounter with Iris.
“She was impressive.”
Indeed, Iris was impressive.
Not only her beautiful appearance but also her resolve as a magical girl, her fearless fighting spirit.
When she blocked the attack aimed at the citizens with her whole body, I unconsciously clenched my fists.
It was like seeing a perfect embodiment of the ideal magical girl from a manga.
Friendly and cheerful before battles.
Serious and cool during combat.
“Is this what they call ‘gap moe’?”
I understood.
Why she’s been gaining popularity lately.
But I know well. As a possessor, I can’t help but know.
Iris’s real personality and true self.
And…
“How does she fool everyone so easily?”
Everything she’s doing now is an act.
[Scary! I’m scared too! But…I will pull it off. I will definitely act as a cool and friendly magical girl.]
A line from the game featuring Iris.
In short, despite feeling fear, she pretends not to.
She’s putting on a bright facade.
I don’t know the reason why. It never came up in the game.
If I had gone through the happy ending route, would I have found out?
“Damn, why did possession happen right before this?”
Anyway, she’s actually a very timid person.
She hides herself through acting.
She must have been in excruciating pain from the wounds but forced herself to appear cheerful.
“Hmph…”
Replaying the scenes in my mind.
It was all an act. Every single action was staged.
Looking at it from that perspective, Iris’s previous demeanor appeared different.
‘You’re an easy opponent to defeat!’
I recalled her declaration. Her eyes were restless.
‘Hmph! It doesn’t hurt at all!’
Thinking of Iris laughing amidst the cutting winds, I remembered her legs.
Her legs were trembling slightly and faintly.
‘I’ve won! You wicked villain!’
Recalling Iris’s smile despite being battered, it dawned on me.
‘She was forcing her lips upwards to smile.’
Her eyes looked ready to burst into tears at any moment.
“…Sigh.”
Sighs kept escaping me.
I should have dragged her here by force.
I should have provided medicine or something to eat.
I felt uneasy.
Partly because of the uncertain fate of the world, but mostly because it felt like entrusting everything to a young girl.
She must be scared.
‘Then…the main storyline starts in a year, so she must be…’
…Sixteen years old.
A sixteen-year-old is risking her life battling monsters threatening the world.
Using powers of a magical girl she’s still getting used to.
More ferocious creatures will come in the future.
Compared to the windmill raising gales, they’ll seem like toys.
“…What to do now?”
Just as I started lamenting and worrying about the future,
-Ding.
The convenience store door opened.
Work is work, though. I need to earn money.
I stood up from the chair to greet the customer, but the customer greeted me first.
“…Hello.”
It was a small girl with a somewhat gloomy voice that sounded familiar.
“Welcome-”
Wait?
The violet eyes of the girl caught mine, and I froze on the spot.
‘…Meeting here?’
What should I say? This feels like God pushing someone to help.
Maybe my possession happened for this reason.
If God really exists, that is.
“So…if God really exists…”
Anyways, a small girl stood there.
Her face plastered with band-aids, her right hand wrapped in bandages.
Her pale white skin and hair made me question if she might be a ghost.
I cautiously glanced at her bandaged hand. She noticed my gaze and raised her right hand.
“…Are you staring because of the bandage?”
“Huh? No, not at all. Just-”
“Hmph. I wrapped it because it looks cool, so don’t judge.”
“…”
“Why? Do you feel sorry for me?”
“…Apologies.”
I bowed slightly to apologize. Only then did the girl huff and proceed to browse the items.
I mulled over her words again.
The reason for wearing bandages was just because they looked cool.
‘If only that were true.’
If this was a case of bad taste during adolescence, it would be better. But it wasn’t likely.
Underneath those bandages, there must undoubtedly be scars. I’m certain of it. They’re probably cuts inflicted by the cutting winds.
And those scars would match the ones Iris received perfectly.
Of course.
The name flashed through my mind.
‘Noah.’
The Noah standing there transforms into Iris.
And Noah, Iris’s pre-transformation form, is
“Stop staring at me like that!”
“Sorry!”
“Seriously…should I report you to the police…”
Pretty guarded.
To put it simply,
A fierce stray cat kind of kid.
…Well, it is my fault for staring at a middle school girl.
